The µ-Chip: No rewrite Hitachi
The µ-Chip is one of the world's smallest contactless IC chips
which uses an external antenna to receive radio waves (2.45 GHz
microwaves), and transforms it to energy to wirelessly transmit a
128 bit (1038) unique ID number.
As the data is written during the fabrication process using ROM
(Read-Only-Memory), it is impossible to rewrite the data
and thus provides a high level of authenticityhttp://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/060206.html

Under the Skin -- Jennifer Ryan
What it is, is a VeriChip, a radio-frequency i.d tag by a company
called Applied Digital. The chip is loaded with whatever personal information
you choose.
That can include your Social Security
number, insurance, health information or even
name and address.http://wusatv9.com/health/health_article.aspx?storyid=37422

Originally, VeriChip was given FDA approval
because it contained a number only and no personal data.
Now VeriChip is making a "read" chip with personal data
on it without encryption.
Hamlaka wants VeriChip to be a "read-write" chip, which
can have data ADDED to the chip.

What is the difference between read-only and read/write
tags?Microchips in RF tags can be read-write or read-only. With
read-write chips, information can be added to the tag or write
over existing information when the tag is within range of a
reader/interrogator. Since the Read-write tags are expensive they
are used only in some specialized applications. Some read-only
microchips have information stored on them during the
manufacturing process. The information on such chips can never
been changed. With a EEPROM(electrically erasable programmable
read-only memory) the data can be overwritten using a special
electronic process.http://www.analytica-india.com/rfid/faq.html#q10

RFID labels can be either read or
read/write. The read chips are locked, so
that the information contained therein can be read only and not
changed. The read/write chips can be programmed.http://www.labelandnarrowweb.com/Oct011.htm

Making chips--non-subdermal-- with "read write". The
technology is there.

That is a great picture of that
vein scannner. It shows one how easy it is to imagine that one
day similar scanners will scan the Mark.
And the picture show a right hand. A sign on the wall ? Is is
getting fast now or what ? ---Henry

Contactless Vein-reader; palm-heldFujitsu is launching what it claims will be the world's first
biometric palm scanner, checking veins in the human hand to
verify someone's identity. The Palm Vein Identification System
will be showcased at next week's CeBit Show in Hanover, and the
company hopes it will render current biometric systems -
including those based purely on fingerprints - obsolete. http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;642417807;fp;512;fpid;1871683061

Palm reader ?Vein SecurityThe vein-pattern technology works
by shining light in the near-infrared region (the infrared region
closest to visible light) on customers' palms.
The palms are held about four centimeters above a scanner, which
takes a snapshot of the palm, illuminating the vein
patterns just below the skin. This unique pattern
information becomes the basis for security applications. The
information can then be loaded into a server or, as
Tokyo-Mitsubishi has done, put into an integrated circuit
embedded in cash or credit cards. Users who register their
identities need to have their palms scanned and the data
downloaded to the cards.

To identify themselves to an ATM,
card carriers place their wrist on a cradle above a
scanner, a small box bolted next to the machine's
input screen connected to the ATM by USB (Universal Serial Bus).
When using the card at ATM, the scan usually takes about a
second, according to the spokesman.

"The users' personal
identification number is still required,( Ed: soon
embedded in right hand ?? )
because we wanted to make the system as secure as possible,"
the spokesman said.

Fujitsu first demonstrated its
vein-pattern reading technology in 2002 when it showed a computer
mouse prototype. Users put their palm on the mouse to log into
the PC. Fujitsu has said that it is looking to use the system in
other applications, for example car keys, and to promote the
system overseas-- IDG News
Servicehttp://cio.co.nz/cio.nsf/0/2945035C3FB0EE54CC256F1D0078690B?OpenDocument

From Michael :
Here are the specs for the device. However with a much larger
induction coil one could setup a passive read in the area of a
doorway much the same way that Wal-Mart tracks the RF tags they
use for security. In it's ideal use (and this is scary) Wal-Mart,
and others, would like for you to be able to run a cart of
groceries and your self through a scanner during the check out
process.

This would allow them to deduct the merchandise from inventory,
debit your account, and track your spending habits. This would
then allow them to use other emerging technology to target adds
to the highest volume customer in a given area.
IE: I spend $100 a week at Wal-Mart on DVD's; you spend 100
Dollars a week on fishing gear. When we both enter sporting
goods, the ad's are targeted at you, if you leave, the ads would
rotate to my interests based on my shopping history with the
store. This would work similar to the directed advertising used
in the movie Minority Report.

The major privacy issues come into play with the theft of
information from any given data clearinghouse. Furthermore, let's
say a crime is committed, and a wallet that you bought at
Wal-Mart was found at the scene, Big Brother could track the RFID
to the MFG, to your Wal-Mart, to the security cam with your face
from when you bought the wallet. So even if one could remove the
prophecy aspect of RFID, one could not justify the loss of
privacy.

> The signifcance of this announcement is that an RFID reader
can be added to pretty much any kind of portable computer
device. What is unlcear to me however, is where is the
reader antenna. If the antenna is small, the read distance
is probably very small, ie. one to two inches max.
> Michael A, Keller, MCSE,Master ASE, CCA, PBCE